Haptic gloves for virtual reality systems and methods of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

Example haptic gloves for virtual reality systems and related methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a glove to be worn on a hand of a user, an ultrasonic array disposed on an inner surface of the glove, and a control unit to activate the ultrasonic array device to generate haptic feedback on the hand of the user.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/627,606, titled “Haptic Gloves for Virtual Reality Systems andMethods of Controlling the Same,” filed Dec. 30, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by this reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to virtual reality systems and, moreparticularly, to haptic gloves for virtual reality systems and methodsof controlling the same.

BACKGROUND

A virtual reality (VR) environment is a digital representation of anenvironment (e.g., a real or imaginary environment). A VR environmentcan be created using audio content and/or visual content. The VRenvironment can be displayed or presented to a user in any number ofways, for example, via a computer monitor, a virtual realityhead-mounted device, speakers, etc. Some VR environments simulate auser's presence in the environment such that the user can interact withthe virtual reality environment. For example, a hand movement such as auser gesture indicative of picking up an object can be reflected in theVR environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example virtual reality system utilizing examplehaptic gloves constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example ultrasonic array device that may beimplemented in the example haptic gloves of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows an example focused pressure point created by the exampleultrasonic array device of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a finger section of one of theexample haptic gloves of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the finger section of FIG. 4 takenalong line A-A in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example control unit having an examplehaptic controller that may be implemented for controlling at least oneof the example haptic gloves of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be executed to implement the example hapticcontroller of FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 illustrates an example processor platform that may execute theexample instructions of FIG. 7 to implement the example hapticcontroller of FIG. 6 .

The figures are not to scale. Instead, to clarify multiple layers andregions, the thickness of the layers may be enlarged in the drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughoutthe drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the sameor like parts. As used in this patent, stating that any part (e.g., alayer, film, area, or plate) is in any way positioned on (e.g.,positioned on, located on, disposed on, or formed on, etc.) anotherpart, indicates that the referenced part is either in contact with theother part, or that the referenced part is above the other part with oneor more intermediate part(s) located therebetween. Stating that any partis in contact with another part means that there is no intermediate partbetween the two parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A virtual reality (VR) environment is a digital representation of anenvironment (e.g., a real or imaginary environment). VR systems simulatea VR environment using audio content and/or visual content. The VRenvironment can be displayed in any number of ways, for example, via acomputer monitor, a virtual reality head-mounted device, speakers, etc.Some VR environments simulate a user's presence in the environment suchthat the user can interact with the virtual reality environment. Someknown VR systems enable a user to interact with the VR environment usinga controller, such as a joystick, or a handheld device. However, whileknown VR systems can provide excellent visual and audio simulation,these known VR systems have not yet provided the sensation of touch.

Disclosed herein are example methods, apparatus, systems, and articlesof manufacture that provide the sense of touch to a user interactingwith a VR environment. The example methods, apparatus, systems, andarticles of manufacture may be used to provide touch sensation to a partof a user's body, such as the user's hand, for example, to simulatecontact of the user's hand with an object in the VR environment.Disclosed herein are example haptic gloves that may be worn on the handsof a user. The example gloves may be worn while the user experiences theVR environment (e.g., via audio and/or visual content) and interactswith objects in the VR environment using the user's hands. The hapticgloves generate pressure on different sections of the user's hands tosimulate the feeling of touching the objects in the VR environment. Assuch, the example gloves provide a realistic sense of touch.

An example haptic glove disclosed herein includes an ultrasonic array(referred to herein as an ultrasonic array device or an ultrasonic arraychip) disposed on an inner surface of the glove. The ultrasonic arraydevice includes a plurality of ultrasonic generators that are activatedto produce ultrasonic waves at substantially the same frequency (e.g.,within a tolerance level). The ultrasonic generators create sound wavesin the ultrasound level, which is higher than the upper audible limit ofhuman hearing (˜20 kilohertz (kHz)). The ultrasonic waves interact(known as sound interference) to generate a focused pressure point at aparticular distance from the ultrasonic array device. The ultrasonicarray device is positioned on the inside of the glove and separated fromthe skin of the hand of the user such that when the ultrasonic arraydevice is activated, the focused pressure point is generated at or nearthe skin on the hand. For example, the ultrasonic array device may bedisposed on an inside of the glove near the tip of the index finger.When the ultrasonic array device is activated, a focused pressure pointis created at or near the skin on the tip of the index finger. Thisfocused pressure point replicates the counter-force that would beapplied by an object on the tip of the finger, thereby simulating thefeeling of touching the object with the tip of the finger. The frequencyand/or intensity of the ultrasonic array device can be changed toproduce different pressures that can simulate different forces and/ortextures or materials. For example, a higher intensity can be used tocreate a higher pressure, which may simulate a harder, more rigidsurface (e.g., metal). Whereas a lower intensity can be used to create alower pressure, which may simulate a softer surface (e.g., rubber).

In some examples, the haptic glove includes a plurality of ultrasonicarray devices disposed on the inner surface of the glove. The ultrasonicarray devices are positioned at different locations around the inside ofthe glove and aimed at different sections of the hand. For example, aplurality of ultrasonic array devices may be disposed along the bottomside of the index finger section, along the sides of the index fingersection, and/or along the top side of the index finger section.Likewise, ultrasonic array devices can be disposed along the otherfinger sections, along the palm side of the glove, the back of the handside of the glove, etc. The ultrasonic array devices can be activated,independently or simultaneously, to simulate touch sensation ondifferent parts of the hand, thus giving a 360° full range experience tothe user's hand. The frequency and/or intensity of the differentultrasonic array devices can be changed to simulate different forcesand/or textures.

In some examples, the haptic glove includes a control unit thatactivates or triggers the ultrasonic array device(s). The control unitmay be implemented as, for example, an integrated circuit, sometimesreferred to as a chip. The control unit may be coupled to (e.g., sewn orembedded in) the material of the glove. In some examples, the controlunit includes a power source (e.g., a battery) to power the ultrasonicarray device(s) and/or other components of the control unit. In someexamples, the control unit includes a haptic controller that determineswhen to activate one or more of the ultrasonic array device(s) and atwhat frequency and/or intensity. For example, the haptic controller maydetermine when the distance between a section of a user's hand (e.g., atip of the index finger) and an object in the VR environment is zero orsubstantially zero. Then, the haptic controller may activate theultrasonic array device(s) (e.g., by sending an instruction to anultrasonic array device actuator) corresponding to that section of theglove, thereby creating a focused pressure point on the user's hand thatsimulates contact of the user's hand with the object in the VRenvironment.

In some examples, a camera, such as a real-sense camera, is used totrack the location of the user's hands. Image data collected by thecamera can be processed by a processor (e.g., the haptic controller).Additionally or alternatively, one or more motion sensors may be used todetect the location of the user's hands. In some examples, the motionsensor(s) are wearable. For example, the sensor(s) may be mounted to,worn by, and/or carried on one or more body parts of the user. Forinstance, the haptic glove can include sensors such as flex sensor(s) todetect bending or flexing of the hand and/or fingers and/or anaccelerometer to detect motion of the hand. Data collected by thesensors of the glove can be wirelessly transmitted to a processor fortracking hand motion.

The example haptic gloves disclosed herein have many benefits and can beused in numerous applications. For example, assume a user is interactingwith a VR zoo of animals. The user may navigate around the zoo to seedifferent animals (e.g., using a VR headset). Using the example gloves,the user can experience the feeling or sensation of touching theanimals. In particular, the example gloves can simulate the feeling oftouching the animals, which may enable the user to learn about and/orotherwise experience certain characteristics of the animals, such as theanimal's size, weight, strength, hair texture, etc.

As another example, a user may be in a VR meeting with one or more otherusers. The users may view each other as avatars in the VR meeting. Withthe example gloves, the users can experience the feeling of shakinghands, hugging, and/or engaging in other contact with each other. Thissort of haptic feedback builds a better relationship between the users(e.g., by experiencing a strong hand shake, a light hand shake, ahigh-five, etc.).

The example haptic gloves can similarly be used in other applications,such as online shopping, game playing, etc. Further, the haptic glovesmay be used to create a feeling for something that does not exist. Forexample, the haptic gloves may create a touch feeling for each letter ofthe alphabet. A user can then read, communicate and/or otherwiseexperience these letters without actually seeing them. As anotherexample, the example haptic gloves may be used to increase theeffectiveness of gesture recognition processes, for example, byproviding better feedback to the user when using hand gestures. Gesturerecognition can also be used to determine when and what kinds of hapticfeedback simulate with the gloves.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example virtual reality (VR) system 100 utilizedby a user 102 to experience a VR environment. The example VR system 100includes a visualization presenter 104 (e.g., a display screen) thatdisplays a digital representation of the VR environment to the user 102.In the illustrated example, the visualization presenter 104 is part of aVR headset 106 to be worn on a head 108 of the user 102. The VR headset106 may include a headband or other strap member to secure thevisualization presenter 104 to the head 108 of the user. In otherexamples, the visualization presenter 104 may be implemented as anothertype screen, such as a television monitor, a computer monitor, asmartphone screen, etc. that is separated from the user 102. In someexamples, the VR system 100 includes one or more speakers to provideaudio from the VR environment to the user 102. From example, the VRheadset 106 may include one or more speaker(s) to generate the audiocontent portion of the VR environment.

To provide the sense of touch to the user 102, the example VR system 100includes a pair of haptic gloves constructed in accordance with theteachings of this disclosure. The pair of haptic gloves includes a firstglove 110 to be worn on the user's right hand (shown in broken lines)and a second glove 112 to be worn on the user's left hand (shown inbroken lines). In some examples, only one of the first glove 110 or thesecond glove 112 may be used. The first and second gloves 110, 112provide touch feeling to the user's hands based on the location of theuser's hands and the location(s) of one or more objects in the VRenvironment. For instance, if the user's right hand is in contact withan object in the VR environment, the first glove 110 generates apressure on the skin of the hand of the user 102 that simulates thecontact between the user's right hand and the object. The pressuremimics the feeling of touch and provides a realistic sensation oftouching the object.

In the illustrated example, the first and second gloves 110, 112 aresubstantially the same. Thus, to avoid redundancy, and for the sake ofclarity, many of the examples of this disclosure are described only inconnection with the first glove 110. However, it is understood thatthese examples may be similarly implemented in connection with thesecond glove 112. Thus, any of the features disclosed in connection withthe first glove 110 may also be applied to the second glove 112.

In the illustrated example, the first glove 110 includes a control unit114 (which may be referred to as a control unit chip or a managementchip). The control unit 114 receives information from one or morecomponents of the VR system 100 (e.g., the visualization presenter 104,the camera 116, etc.) and determines when and/or where to apply pressureon the user's right hand. The control unit 114 may include a powersource (e.g., a battery) and a transceiver. The control unit 114 may beimplemented as, for example, an integrated circuit (sometimes referredto as a chip). An example of the control unit 114 is disclosed infurther detail in conjunction with FIG. 6 . In the illustrated exampleof FIG. 1 , the control unit 114 is coupled to the first glove 110 onthe back side of the hand section. For example, the control unit may bedisposed within (e.g., sewn into or otherwise embedded in) the materialof the first glove 110. In some examples, the second glove 112 includesa similar control unit to control the second glove 112. In someexamples, the control unit 114 of the first glove 110 may processinformation for both the first glove 110 and the second glove 112 andcommunicate with the second glove 112. In some examples, the controlunit 114 on the first glove 110 includes a processor (e.g., the hapticcontroller 606 of FIG. 6 ) that determines, based on information aboutthe VR environment, when to where to apply pressure on the user's righthand. In other examples, the processor may be remote to the first glove110, and the control unit 114 may receive commands or instructions fromthe processor (disclosed in further detail herein).

In some examples, to determine the location of the first glove 110 (and,thus, the user's right hand) in the VR environment, the example VRsystem 100 includes a camera 116. The camera 116 may be, for example, areal-sense camera to sense or detect a position of the user's hands. Inthe illustrated example, the camera 116 is carried by the VR headset106. The camera 116 obtains image or video data that can be processed todetermine the location of the user's right. In some examples, an imageof the user's right hand is displayed in the VR environment. Forexample, if the user 102 moves his/her right hand in front of the user'sface, a digital hand may be displayed to the user 102 on thevisualization presenter 104. In some examples, the camera 116 may not beattached to the user 102. Instead, the camera 116 may be disposed inanother location near the user 102 (e.g., in a corner of a room andpointing toward the user 102). In some examples, more than one camera isutilized. In some such examples, the camera(s) may generate a collectiveor aggregate field of view for capturing one or more images (e.g.,video) of the hands (and/or other body parts) of the user 102. In someexamples, in addition to or as an alternative to the camera 116, theexample VR system 100 may include one or more position-detectingdevice(s) to obtain data indicative of position and/or movement of oneor more body parts of the user 102, such as the user's hands. Theposition-detecting device(s) may include sensors, such as wearablesensors. The wearable sensor(s) may include, for example, a bendsensor(s), an accelerometer(s), a vibration sensor(s), a gravitationalsensor(s), a force sensor(s), etc. and may be positioned to developsignals representative of movement(s) and/or position(s) of a body parton which the sensor is mounted. In some examples, one or more of thesensors are incorporated into the first glove 110. In some examples, thefirst glove 110 includes an adjustment member (e.g., a Velcro® strap, anelastic strap, etc.) to tighten the wrist portion of the first glove 110onto the wrist of the user 102. In other examples, no adjustment membermay be utilized.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example ultrasonic array 200, referred to hereinas the ultrasonic array device 200, that may be utilized in the firstglove 110 (FIG. 1 ) to generate haptic feedback on the right hand of theuser 102 (FIG. 1 ) (e.g., via a pressure point on or near the skin onthe right hand). The example ultrasonic array device 200 includes a setof ultrasonic generators 202 (one of which is referenced in FIG. 2 )disposed on a substrate 204. The substrate 204 may be, for example, acircuit board or chip with electrical components (e.g., wires,electrical connections, resistors, etc.) to operate the ultrasonicgenerators 202. In the illustrated example, the ultrasonic array device200 includes nine ultrasonic generators 202. However, in other examples,the ultrasonic array device 200 may include more or fewer ultrasonicgenerators 202. In some examples, the ultrasonic generators 202 arearranged in a pattern, such as a pattern of rows and columns (e.g., agrid or matrix). For example, in the illustrated example of FIG. 2 , theultrasonic generators 202 are arranged in a 3×3 grid, spaced equidistantfrom each other. However, in other examples, the ultrasonic generatorsmay be arranged in other patterns (e.g., 4×4, 5×5, etc.) and may bespaced further from or closer to each other. Further, while in theillustrated example of FIG. 2 the substrate 204 is substantially flat orplanar, in other examples, the substrate 204 may be curved. For example,the substrate 204 may be curved to match the curvature of a section ofthe hand (e.g., a finger).

Each of the ultrasonic generators 202 may be activated (e.g., triggeredor excited) to generate an ultrasonic wave. When the ultrasonicgenerators 202 are activated, the waves generated by the ultrasonicgenerators 202 interact with each other (sometimes referred to as soundinterference). In general, sound waves include a repeating pattern ofhigh-pressure regions (compressions) and low-pressure regions(rarefactions) moving through a medium (e.g., air). When thecompressions or rarefactions of two or more waves line up, the waves arestrengthened to a higher intensity (known as constructive interference).On the other hand, when the compressions or rarefactions are out ofphase, their interaction creates a wave with a dampened or lowerintensity (known as destructive interference). At certain distances fromthe ultrasonic array device 200, the compressions (e.g., crests orpeaks) of the waves align, thereby creating a combined or constructedhigh-pressure point. FIG. 3 shows an example of the ultrasonic wavesgenerated by the ultrasonic array device 200. Each of the ultrasonicgenerators 202 of the ultrasonic array device 200 are activated at thesame frequency. At certain distances from the ultrasonic array device200, the compressions of certain ones of the waves align. At aparticular distance from the ultrasonic array device 200, thecompression of all of the waves generated by each ultrasonic generators202 are incident on a same point and the compressions combine to createa focused pressure point 300. At the focused pressure point 300, aresultant amplitude is formed that is equal to the vector sum of theamplitudes of the individual waves. By operating the ultrasonicgenerators 202 at the same frequency, the location of the constructinterference remains the same. As will be disclosed in further detailherein, the ultrasonic array device 200 may be positioned to generatethe focused pressure point 300 at or near the skin of the user 102 (FIG.1 ) to simulate or mimic the feeling of touch.

The location of the focused pressure point 300 is dependent on thefrequency of the ultrasonic generators 202 (as well as the spatialarrangement of the ultrasonic generators 202). Thus, the frequency ofthe ultrasonic generators 202 may be changed to move the focusedpressure point 300 closer to or further from the ultrasonic array device200. In general, the focused pressure point 300 is at least onewavelength away from the ultrasonic array device 200. For example, at 20kHz, the focused pressure point 300 may be about 17 millimeters (mm)from the ultrasonic array device 200. This distance may be determinedusing the following equation: λ=c/f, where λ is wavelength, c is wavespeed, and f is frequency. With a frequency f of 20 kHz and a wave speedc of 300 meters/s (m/s), the wave length λ is about 17 mm. At 200 kHz,for example, the focused pressure point may be about 1.7 mm from theultrasonic array device 200. Therefore, if the ultrasonic generators 202are operable between 20 kHz and 200 kHz, for example, then theultrasonic array device 200 should be spaced apart from the skin of thehand by at least about 1.7 mm. In some examples, the frequency may behigher and, thus, the needed spacing may be even lower than 1.7 mm.Thus, the focused pressured point 300 can be changed by changing thefrequency of the ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic generators 202 may beactivated at different frequencies (of about 20 kHz and above) dependingon the desired distance to create the focused pressure point 300.

In some examples, the standard operating frequency is about 40 kHz,which has a wavelength of about 8.5 mm from the ultrasonic array device200. The focal distance and diameter ratio of the ultrasonic arraydevice 200 may be about 0.65-0.85, which corresponds to a diameter ofabout 6.5-17 mm. If the frequency is at 40 kHz and the focal distance is10 mm (larger than 8.5 mm), for example, then the diameter is10/(0.65-0.85)=about 12-15 mm.

Further, the intensity (amplitude) of the ultrasonic waves can beincreased or decreased (e.g., by increasing or decreasing the electricalsignal to the ultrasonic generators 202) to increase or decrease thepressure at the focused pressure point 300. In some examples, even apressure of 0.1 Pascal (Pa) (0.00102 grams per square centimeter(g/cm²)) can be felt on the skin of a human and, thus, is sufficient toobtain haptic feeling. In other examples, the pressure generated at thefocused pressure point 300 may be higher or lower. In some examples, theultrasonic array device 200 generates a pressure of about 1.8 g/cm² toabout 10 g/cm².

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a finger section 400 of the firstglove 110. In the illustrated example, the first glove 110 includes afirst layer 402 (e.g., an outer layer) and a plurality of the ultrasonicarray devices 200 a-200 n coupled to an inner surface 404 of the firstlayer 402. The first layer 402 may be constructed of, for example, cloth(e.g., cotton), knitted or felted wool, leather, rubber, latex,neoprene, chain-mesh, and/or any other material capable of being worn asa glove and supporting one or more ultrasonic array devices. In someexamples, the first layer 402 may be relatively rigid to maintain asubstantially cylindrical shape. In other examples, the first layer 402may be relatively flexible to may bend or curve more with movement ofthe finger.

In the illustrated example, the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n aredisposed along the inner surface 404 of the first layer 402 and pointedinwardly, toward the skin of the user's finger. The ultrasonic arraydevices 200 a-200 n may be substantially the same as the ultrasonicarray device 200 depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 . Each of the ultrasonicarray devices 200 a-200 n may have the same or a different number ofultrasonic generators, which may be arranged in various patterns. In theillustrated example of FIG. 4 , twelve (12) ultrasonic array devices 200a-2001 are depicted as being disposed along a top and a bottom side ofthe finger section 400. In other examples, the finger section 400 mayinclude more or fewer ultrasonic array devices and/or the ultrasonicarray devices may be disposed in other locations and/or spaceddifferently. The ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may also bedisposed around the sides of the finger. For example, FIG. 5 illustratesa cross-sectional view of the finger section 400 taken along line A-A inFIG. 4 . As shown in FIG. 5 , six (6) ultrasonic array devices 200 e,200 h, 200 m, 200 n, 200 o, 200 p are disposed around the circumferenceof the finger section 400 at the cross-section. In other examples, moreor fewer ones of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may bedisposed around the circumference of the finger section 400 and/orspaced differently. Likewise, a plurality of the ultrasonic arraydevices 200 a-200 n may be distributed around the circumference of thefinger section 400 at other cross-sections of the finger section 400. Inthe illustrated example, the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n arecurved to match the curvature of the user's finger. However, in otherexamples, the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may be substantiallyflat or planar (e.g., similar to the ultrasonic array device 200depicted in FIG. 2 ).

Depending on where the touch sensation is to be applied, one or more ofthe ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may be activated to generatehaptic feedback on different section of the user's hand (e.g., byproducing pressure at or near the skin of the user's hand). For example,if the bottom side of the user's finger is in virtual contact with anobject in the VR environment, the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 f,which are along the bottom side of the user's finger, can be activatedto create focused pressure points along the bottom side of the user'sfinger, thereby simulating contact with the object in the VRenvironment. Each of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 ncorresponds to a particular section of the first glove 110 and, thus,the associated section of the user's hand. In some examples, only one ofthe ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n is activated. In otherexamples, multiple ones of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n areactivated.

As described above in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 , each of theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n produces a focused pressure pointat a certain distance from the respective ultrasonic array device 200a-200 n. Therefore, the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n are to bespaced apart from the skin of the user's hand. In some examples, theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n are to be separated from the skinat least about 1.7 mm (e.g., for operating at 200 kHz). In otherexamples, the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may be spaced closerto or further from the skin based on the intended frequency to beapplied.

To separate the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n from the user'shand, the example first glove 110 may include one or more spacers (e.g.,a rib, a web, etc.). For instance, in the illustrated example of FIG. 4, the finger section 400 includes a first spacer 406 and a second spacer408. The first and second spacers 406, 408 are coupled to the innersurface 404 of the first layer 402 and extend inwardly toward thefinger. As the finger bends and/or moves, the spacers 406, 408 are movedin the same direction to maintain the first layer 402 (and, thus, theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n) separated from the skin of thefinger. Thus, a substantially constant gap or space is maintainedbetween the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n and the skin of thefinger. In some examples, the first and second spacers 406, 408 arerings that extend around the user's finger. In other examples, the firstand second spacers 406, 408 may be formed of one or more individualmembers that extend inward from the first layer 402 (e.g., similar tospokes on a wheel). In the illustrated example of FIG. 4 , the firstspacer 406 is positioned near one knuckle (e.g., a joint) of the fingerand the second spacer 408 is positioned near the other knuckle of thefinger. In other examples, the first spacer 406 and/or the second spacer408 may be disposed in other locations. Also, while in the illustratedexample two example spacers 406, 408 are implemented, in other examples,the finger section 400 may include more (e.g., three, four, etc.) orfewer (e.g., one) spacers in the finger section 400.

In some examples, the first glove 110 includes a second layer 410 (e.g.,an inner layer) that is disposed within and separated from the firstlayer 402. The second layer 410 may be relatively tight and sticks tothe hand of the user 102. For example, the second layer 410 may beconstructed of a latex material that substantially conforms to the shapeof the hand. In other examples, the second layer 410 may be constructedof other types of materials. The first and second spacers 406, 408 maybe coupled between the first layer 402 and the second layer 410. Assuch, when the user moves his/her hand, the first layer 402 (and, thus,the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n) remain separated (distanced)from the second layer 410 and, thus, the skin of the user. Theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may be spaced apart from the secondlayer 410 and/or operated at a particular frequency that produces afocused pressure point at or near the second layer 410, which can befelt against the skin of the hand that is in contact with the secondlayer 410.

In some examples, one or more wires and/or other electrical connectorsare coupled to (e.g., embedded in) the first layer 402. The wires and/orother electrical connectors electrically couple the ultrasonic arraydevices 200 a-200 n to the control unit 114 (FIG. 1 ), which may becoupled to the first glove 110 near a back side of the hand. The controlunit 114 may activate one or more of the ultrasonic array devices 200a-200 n by providing an electrical signal (e.g., an alternating signalat an ultrasonic frequency) to the ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200n. The control unit 114 may control the frequency and/or intensity ofthe ultrasonic wave(s) produced by the ultrasonic array device(s) 200a-200 n. In particular, the control unit 114 may activate the ultrasonicarray devices 200-200 n at particular frequencies and/or intensities togenerate the desired focused pressure point on the skin of the user. Insome examples, each of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n isspaced the same distance from the skin of the user. In other examples,the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may be spaced differently. Insome examples, two or more ultrasonic array devices may be combined intoa group and separated from the skin of the user by different distances.For example, three ultrasonic array devices may be stacked on top ofeach other. The ultrasonic array devices may be slightly offset orinclude openings to allow the waves of the lower ultrasonic arraydevices (the ultrasonic array devices further from the hand) to passthrough. The ultrasonic array devices of the group can be activatedsimultaneously or independently to simulate different feelings on theparticular section of the skin of the user.

While only one finger section of the first glove 110 is illustrated inFIG. 4 , one or more other sections of the first glove 110 may include asimilar arrangement of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n. Inparticular, one or more of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n maybe similarly disposed along the inner surface 404 of the first glove 110and used to create pressure on different sections of the user's hand.For example, each finger section of the first glove 110 may be similarto the finger section 400. The finger sections may include the same ordifferent numbers of ultrasonic array devices, and the ultrasonic arraydevices may be disposed in various locations around the respectivefingers. Additionally or alternatively, ultrasonic array devices may besimilarly disposed along the inner surface 404 of the first glove 110along the back of the hand section and/or the palm section. Thus,ultrasonic array devices can be disposed all around the skin of the handto provide a 360° touch experience.

While in the illustrated example of FIG. 4 a plurality of ultrasonicarray devices are implemented in the finger section 400 of the firstglove 110, in other examples, the finger section 400 may include onlyone ultrasonic array device. For example, one ultrasonic array devicemay be positioned near the bottom side of the finger. In some exampleseach finger section of the first glove 110 includes one ultrasonic arraydevice, which may provide touch sensation to just the tips of thefingers, for example. In other examples, any of the finger sections, theback section, and/or the palm section of the first glove 110 may includeany number of ultrasonic array devices.

Also, while in the illustrated example of FIG. 1 the first glove 110covers the entire right hand, in other examples, the example first glove110 may be implemented as covering to be worn around just a portion of ahand of a user. For example, an individual finger sleeve, similar to thefinger section 400 of FIG. 4 , may be worn on one finger of the user102. In some examples, individual finger sleeves may be disposed on eachof the fingers. In such an example, no ultrasonic array devices are usedon the back and palm sections of the hand.

Further, while the example first glove 110 is described as beingdisposed on a hand of a user, the example structures disclosed inconnection with the first glove 110 may be similarly implemented inother types of garments, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, etc.For example, a shirt may include a plurality of ultrasonic array devicescoupled to an inner surface of the shirt and aimed toward differentsections of the user's body. Similar to the example first glove 110, theultrasonic array device(s) on the shirt can be activated to createpressure at or near the skin of the user to simulate touch between theuser's body and one or more object(s) in the VR environment.

FIG. 6 is a block representation of the example control unit 114 thatmay be used for controlling the first glove 110. In the illustratedexample, the control unit 114 includes an ultrasonic array actuator 600(e.g., a controller), referred to herein as the ultrasonic deviceactuator 600, which controls the activation of the ultrasonic arraydevice(s) 200 a-200 n (e.g., via one or more control signals). Theexample control unit 114 also includes a battery 602. The battery 602supplies power to the component(s) of the control unit 114 and to theultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n. In some examples, the battery602 may be recharged by connecting a cord or wire to the battery 602. Inother examples, the battery 602 may be removed from the first glove 110and recharged separately, away from the first glove 110. The ultrasonicdevice actuator 600 may selectively supply power (at a particularintensity and/or frequency) to the ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200n to generate the desired ultrasonic waves.

To communicate with the visualization presenter 104, the camera 116,and/or other component(s) of the VR system 100 (FIG. 1 ), the examplecontrol unit 114 includes a wireless transceiver 604, which operates asa receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver 604 may be, for example, aBluetooth® transceiver. In other examples, other types of wirelesstransceivers may be implemented. Additionally or alternatively, acommunication line (e.g., a wire, a cord, etc.) may be physicallycoupled between the control unit 114, the visualization presenter 104,the camera 116 and/or any other component of the VR system 100.

In the illustrated example, the control unit 114 includes an examplehaptic controller 606 that determines when and/or which one(s) of theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n to activate. In the illustratedexample, the haptic controller 606 includes an object locationdeterminer 608, a hand location determiner 610, a distance calculator612, an ultrasonic array device (UAD) selector 614, afrequency/intensity determiner 616 and a memory 618. In the illustratedexample, the object location determiner 608 of the example hapticcontroller 606 determines the location(s) of one or more objects in theVR environment. The location(s) may include the coordinates orboundaries of the surface(s), edge(s), etc. of the respective object(s).In some examples, the object location determiner 608 determines thelocation of the one more objects based on VR environment data receivedvia the transceiver 604. The VR environment data may include informationrelating to the layout of the VR environment, the user's currentposition in the VR environment, the type of object(s) in the VRenvironment, the location(s) of the object(s) in the VR environment,what VR scene is being displayed to the user 102, etc. In some examples,the VR environment data is transmitted from the visualization presenter104 or the VR headset 106 to the control unit 114. In other examples, aseparate processor or module may transmit the VR environment data to thecontrol unit 114 and/or other components of the VR system 100.

The hand location determiner 610 of the example haptic controller 606determines the location one or both of the user's hands in the VRenvironment. To avoid redundancy, only the right hand is describedbelow. In some examples, the hand location determiner 610 determines thelocation of the right hand by determining a location of the first glove110. In some examples, the hand location determiner 610 receives imageor video information from the camera 116 and determines the location,orientation, etc. of the first glove 110 (and/or the user's hand) in theVR environment based on the information from the camera 116.Additionally or alternatively, one or more motion sensors may be coupledto the first glove 110 to detect movements and/or other informationabout the location of the first glove 110. The information may betransmitted to the control unit 114 (and received via the transceiver604), and the hand location determiner 610 may determine the location ofthe first glove 110 based on the information. In some examples, thefirst glove 110 (FIG. 1 ) is divided into a plurality of discretesections, such as a bottom tip of each finger, a bottom middle sectionof each finger, a top tip of each finger, etc., and one or more of theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may associated with each of thesections. The location of each of the sections and the correspondingultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n may be stored in the memory 618(e.g., a first ultrasonic array device is associated with the bottom tipof the index finger, a second ultrasonic array device is associated withthe bottom tip of the middle finger, etc.). In some examples, the handlocation determiner 610 determines the location of the differentsections of the first glove 110 in the VR environment, which may be usedto determine which of the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n toactivate (as discussed in further detail herein).

In the illustrated example, the distance calculator 612 calculatesdistances between the locations of the different sections of the firstglove 110 (and/or the right hand), as determined by the hand locationdeterminer 610, and the locations (e.g., boundaries) of the one or moreobjects in the VR environment, as determined by the object locationdeterminer 608. If a distance is zero or substantially zero (e.g.,within a tolerance of zero) between a section of the first glove 110 andthe location of an object in the VR environment, the user's hand or asection/part of the user's hand is in virtual contact with the object inthe VR environment. In such an instance, the UAD selector 614 determineswhich one(s) of the ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n thatcorrespond to the section of the first glove 110 or the hand that is invirtual contact with the object and sends an instruction to theultrasonic device actuator 600 to activate the associated one(s) of theultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n. In some examples, the distancecalculator 612 continues calculating and recalculating the distancesbetween the different sections of the first glove 110 and the objects inthe VR environment based on updated location information about the righthand. If the distance(s) is no longer zero or substantially zero (e.g.,because the user 102 move the right hand away from the object), the UADselector 614 sends an instruction to the ultrasonic device actuator 600to cease activation of the associated ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200n. This process may be repeated constantly during the VR session.

In some examples, the frequency and/or intensity of the ultrasonic wavesmay be varied to create different haptic effects. In the illustratedexample, the frequency/intensity determiner 616 of the example hapticcontroller 606 may determine the frequency and/or intensity at which toactivate the ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n based on the desiredpressure and/or texture to be applied. For example, by activating theultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n at a higher intensity (amplitude)(e.g., with a stronger electrical signal), the focused pressure pointhas a higher pressure, which simulates a greater force on the skin ofthe user's hand. Also, the frequency can be changed to move the locationof the focused pressure point. Moving the focused pressure point closerto or further from the skin of the user may also create differentfeelings on the skin of the user 102, which may be used to mimicdifferent textures (e.g., wood, water, glass, sand, hair, etc.). In someexamples, a table of textures and the correspondingfrequencies/intensities is stored in the memory 618. Thefrequency/intensity determiner 616 may select a certain frequency and/orintensity based on the desired pressure or texture to be replicated.

While in the illustrated example of FIG. 6 the haptic controller 606 isdepicted as part of the control unit 114 (e.g., integrated into thefirst glove 110), in other examples, the haptic controller 606 may beintegrated in other components of the VR system 100. For example, thehaptic controller 606 may be incorporated into the VR headset 106. Insuch an example, the haptic controller 606 may transmit one or moresignals to the control unit 114 indicating which ones of the ultrasonicarray device(s) 200 a-200 n to activate, when to activate thecorresponding ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n, the frequencyand/or intensity to activate the corresponding ultrasonic arraydevice(s) 200 a-200 n, etc.

While an example manner of implementing the haptic controller 606 isillustrated in FIG. 6 , one or more of the elements, processes and/ordevices illustrated in FIG. 6 may be combined, divided, re-arranged,omitted, eliminated and/or implemented in any other way. Further, theexample object location determiner 608, the example hand locationdeterminer 610, the example distance calculator 612, the example UADselector 614, the example frequency/intensity determiner 616, theexample memory 618 and/or, more generally, the example haptic controller606 of FIG. 6 may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware and/orany combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. Thus, forexample, any of the example object location determiner 608, the examplehand location determiner 610, the example distance calculator 612, theexample UAD selector 614, the example frequency/intensity determiner616, the example memory 618 and/or, more generally, the example hapticcontroller 606 could be implemented by one or more analog or digitalcircuit(s), logic circuits, programmable processor(s), applicationspecific integrated circuit(s) (ASIC(s)), programmable logic device(s)(PLD(s)) and/or field programmable logic device(s) (FPLD(s)). Whenreading any of the apparatus or system claims of this patent to cover apurely software and/or firmware implementation, at least one of theexample object location determiner 608, the example hand locationdeterminer 610, the example distance calculator 612, the example UADselector 614, the example frequency/intensity determiner 616, and/or theexample memory 618 is/are hereby expressly defined to include a tangiblecomputer readable storage device or storage disk such as a memory, adigital versatile disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a Blu-ray disk, etc.storing the software and/or firmware. Further still, the example hapticcontroller 606 of FIG. 6 may include one or more elements, processesand/or devices in addition to, or instead of, those illustrated in FIG.6 , and/or may include more than one of any or all of the illustratedelements, processes and devices.

A flowchart representative of example machine readable instructions forimplementing the example haptic controller 606 of FIG. 6 is shown inFIG. 7 . In this example, the machine readable instructions comprise aprogram for execution by a processor such as the processor 812 shown inthe example processor platform 800 discussed below in connection withFIG. 8 . The program may be embodied in software stored on a tangiblecomputer readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a harddrive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a Blu-ray disk, or a memoryassociated with the processor 812, but the entire program and/or partsthereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than theprocessor 812 and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware.Further, although the example program is described with reference to theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 8 , many other methods of implementing theexample haptic controller 606 may alternatively be used. For example,the order of execution of the blocks may be changed, and/or some of theblocks described may be changed, eliminated, or combined. Additionallyor alternatively, any or all of the blocks may be implemented by one ormore hardware circuits (e.g., discrete and/or integrated analog and/ordigital circuitry, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), anApplication Specific Integrated circuit (ASIC), a comparator, anoperational-amplifier (op-amp), a logic circuit, etc.) structured toperform the corresponding operation without executing software orfirmware.

As mentioned above, the example process of FIG. 7 may be implementedusing coded instructions (e.g., computer and/or machine readableinstructions) stored on a non-transitory computer and/or machinereadable medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, a read-onlymemory, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a cache, arandom-access memory and/or any other storage device or storage disk inwhich information is stored for any duration (e.g., for extended timeperiods, permanently, for brief instances, for temporarily buffering,and/or for caching of the information). As used herein, the termnon-transitory computer readable medium is expressly defined to includeany type of computer readable storage device and/or storage disk and toexclude propagating signals and to exclude transmission media.“Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim lists anythingfollowing any form of “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises,includes, comprising, including, etc.), it is to be understood thatadditional elements, terms, etc. may be present without falling outsidethe scope of the corresponding claim. As used herein, when the phrase“at least” is used as the transition term in a preamble of a claim, itis open-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and“including” are open ended.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 representative of example machine readableinstructions that may be executed by the example haptic controller 606of FIG. 6 . At block 702, the example object location determiner 608determines a location of an object in the VR environment. Therefore, theobject location determiner 608 provides means for determining a locationof an object in a virtual reality environment. In some examples, thelocation may be defined by the coordinates of the surface(s), edge(s),etc. that define the object in the 3D space of the VR environment. Insome examples, the object location determiner 608 determiners thelocation of the object based on VR environment data transmitted by thevisualization presenter 104 and/or another component of the VR system100.

At block 704, the example hand location determiner 610 determines thelocation of the first glove 110 (which substantially corresponds to thelocation of the right hand) in the VR environment. In some examples, thehand location determiner 610 determines the location of the first glove110 based on image or video data from the camera 116. Additionally oralternatively, one or more motion sensors (e.g., a wearable sensormounted to the first glove 110) may be used to detect the location ofthe first glove 110. In some examples, the hand location determiner 610determines the location of the different sections or parts of the firstglove 110 (e.g., the palm section, the back of the hand section, topand/or bottom sides of the thumb section, the index finger section, themiddle finger section, the ring finger section, and/or the pinky fingersection, etc.). Therefore, the hand location determiner 610 providesmeans for determining a location of a section of the first glove 110 inthe virtual reality environment.

At block 706, the example distance calculator 612 calculates thedistance(s) between the location of the object (e.g., coordinates of thesurfaces or boundaries that define the object) and the location(s) ofone or more section(s) of the first glove 110 in the VR environment.Therefore, the example distance calculator 612 provides means forcalculating a distance between a location of a section of a glove and alocation of an object in the virtual reality environment. At block 708,the example distance calculator 612 determines if any of the distancesare zero or substantially zero (e.g., within a threshold, such as 2 mm).

If the distance between one or more of the sections of the first glove110 and the object is zero or substantially zero, the example UADselector 614, at block 710, selects or identifies the one or more of theultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n that correspond to the associatedsection(s) of the first glove 110. Therefore, the UAD selector 614provides means for selecting one or more of the ultrasonic array devices200 a-200 n to activate. At block 712, the frequency/intensitydeterminer 616 determines a frequency and/or an intensity at which toactivate each of the selected ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n.Therefore, the frequency/intensity determiner 616 provides means fordetermining at least one of a frequency or an intensity at which toactivate an ultrasonic array device. In some examples, each of theselected ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n is to be activated atthe same frequency and intensity. In other examples, the selectedultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n are to be activated a differentfrequencies and/or intensities than each other. At block 714, the UADselector 614 instructs the ultrasonic device actuator 600 to activatethe selected ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n at the determinedfrequencies and/or intensities. The activated ultrasonic array device(s)200 a-200 n generate focused pressure points at or near the skin on thehand of the user that simulates contact with the object in the VRenvironment. Therefore, the UAD selector 614 and/or the ultrasonicdevice actuator 600 provide means for activating an ultrasonic arraydevice when the calculated distance is zero or substantially zero (e.g.,within a threshold).

At block 716, the distance calculator 612 recalculates the distancesbetween the section(s) of the first glove 110 and the location of theobject (e.g., based on updated location data of the first glove 110) todetermine if the distances between the section(s) of the first glove 110and the object has/have increased (or is/are no longer zero orsubstantially zero). An increased distance indicates the correspondingsection of the first glove 110 (and, thus, the user's right hand) is nolonger in virtual contact with the object in the VR environment. If thedistance has not changed (i.e., is still zero or substantially zero),the ultrasonic device actuator 600 continues to activate the selectedultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n. Otherwise, if the distance hasincreased (and is no longer zero or substantially zero), at block 718,the UAD selector 614 instructs the ultrasonic device actuator 600 tocease activation of the selected ultrasonic array device(s) 200 a-200 n.

At block 720, the haptic controller 606 determines whether the VRsession has ended (e.g., by user interaction with an on/off switch). Ifthe VR session has not ended, control returns to block 702 and theexample process of FIG. 7 repeats again. The example process of FIG. 7may be performed for the same object and/or a different object in the VRenvironment. In some examples, the process of FIG. 7 is performedsimultaneously for multiple objects in the VR environment. For example,the haptic controller 606 may continuously check the distances betweenthe different sections of the user's hands and the location of thedifferent objects in the VR environment. Otherwise, if the VR sessionhas ended, the example process of FIG. 7 ends.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example processor platform 800 capableof executing the instructions of FIG. 7 to implement the hapticcontroller 606 of FIG. 6 . The processor platform 800 can be, forexample, an embedded processing device, a server, a personal computer, amobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as aniPad™), a personal digital assistant (PDA), an Internet appliance, a DVDplayer, a CD player, a digital video recorder, a Blu-ray player, agaming console, a personal video recorder, a set top box, or any othertype of computing device.

The processor platform 800 of the illustrated example includes aprocessor 812. The processor 812 of the illustrated example is hardware.For example, the processor 812 can be implemented by one or moreintegrated circuits, logic circuits, microprocessors or controllers fromany desired family or manufacturer. The hardware processor may be asemiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. In this example, theprocessor 812 may implement the example object location determiner 608,the example hand location determiner 610, the example distancecalculator 612, the example UAD selector 614, the examplefrequency/intensity determiner 616, and/or, more generally, the examplehaptic controller 606.

The processor 812 of the illustrated example includes a local memory 813(e.g., a cache). The processor 812 of the illustrated example is incommunication with a main memory including a volatile memory 814 and anon-volatile memory 816 via a bus 818. The volatile memory 814 may beimplemented by Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), DynamicRandom Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM)and/or any other type of random access memory device. The non-volatilememory 816 may be implemented by flash memory and/or any other desiredtype of memory device. Access to the main memory 814, 816 is controlledby a memory controller.

The processor platform 800 of the illustrated example also includes aninterface circuit 820. The interface circuit 820 may be implemented byany type of interface standard, such as an Ethernet interface, auniversal serial bus (USB), and/or a PCI express interface.

In the illustrated example, one or more input devices 822 are connectedto the interface circuit 820. The input device(s) 822 permit(s) a userto enter data and commands into the processor 812. The input device(s)can be implemented by, for example, an audio sensor, a microphone, acamera (still or video), a keyboard, a button, a mouse, a touchscreen, atrack-pad, a trackball, isopoint and/or a voice recognition system. Inthis example, the input device(s) may include the visualizationpresenter 104, the camera 116, and/or other components of the VR system100.

One or more output devices 824 are also connected to the interfacecircuit 820 of the illustrated example. The output device(s) 824 can beimplemented, for example, by display devices (e.g., a light emittingdiode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a liquid crystaldisplay, a cathode ray tube display (CRT), a touchscreen, a tactileoutput device, a printer and/or speakers). The interface circuit 820 ofthe illustrated example, thus, typically includes a graphics drivercard, a graphics driver chip or a graphics driver processor. In thisexample, the output device(s) 824 may include the ultrasonic deviceactuator 600 and/or the ultrasonic array devices 200 a-200 n.

The interface circuit 820 of the illustrated example also includes acommunication device such as a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver, amodem and/or network interface card to facilitate exchange of data withexternal machines (e.g., computing devices of any kind) via a network826 (e.g., an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), atelephone line, coaxial cable, a cellular telephone system, etc.).

The processor platform 800 of the illustrated example also includes oneor more mass storage devices 828 for storing software and/or data.Examples of such mass storage devices 828 include floppy disk drives,hard drive disks, compact disk drives, Blu-ray disk drives, RAIDsystems, and digital versatile disk (DVD) drives. The mass storagedevice(s) 828 may implement the memory 618.

Coded instructions 832 of FIG. 7 may be stored in the mass storagedevice 828, in the volatile memory 814, in the non-volatile memory 816,and/or on a removable tangible computer readable storage medium such asa CD or DVD.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that methods, apparatus,systems, and articles of manufacture have been disclosed herein toprovide touch sensation to a user interacting with a VR environment.Disclosed examples utilize one or more ultrasonic array devices disposedin a glove or other covering (e.g., a garment) to create focusedpressure points on the skin of the user that mimic or simulate thefeeling of touching an object in a VR environment. Thus, disclosedexamples provide more realistic interaction with objects in a VRenvironment than known VR systems. Further, the example gloves disclosedherein are portable and can be easily transported and used at any timeor place.

Example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture toprovide haptic feedback to a user are disclosed herein. Further examplesand combinations thereof include the following:

Example 1 includes an apparatus including a glove to be worn on a handof a user, an ultrasonic array disposed on an inner surface of theglove, and a control unit to activate the ultrasonic array to generatehaptic feedback on the hand of the user.

Example 2 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the ultrasonicarray includes a substrate and a plurality of ultrasonic generatorsdisposed on the substrate.

Example 3 includes the apparatus of Example 2, wherein the plurality ofultrasonic generators are arranged in a pattern of rows and columns onthe substrate.

Example 4 includes the apparatus of Example 2, wherein the control unitis to activate the plurality of ultrasonic generators at substantially asame frequency.

Example 5 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the gloveincludes an outer layer and an inner layer, the inner layer to be incontact with the hand, the outer layer to be spaced apart from andsurrounding the inner layer, the inner surface of the glovecorresponding to an inner surface of the outer layer, and the ultrasonicarray coupled to the inner surface of the outer layer and facing theinner layer.

Example 6 includes the apparatus of Example 5, wherein the gloveincludes a spacer between the inner layer and the outer layer toseparate the outer layer from the inner layer.

Example 7 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the ultrasonicarray is disposed in a finger section of the glove.

Example 8 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the control unitis coupled to the glove near a back side of the hand.

Example 9 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the control unitincludes a power source to power the ultrasonic array.

Example 10 includes the apparatus of Example 1, wherein the control unitincludes a transceiver to receive information about a virtual realityenvironment experienced by the user.

Example 11 includes the apparatus of Example 1, further including aplurality of ultrasonic arrays disposed on the inner surface of theglove, the plurality of ultrasonic arrays to generate haptic feedback ondifferent sections of the hand.

Example 12 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 1-11, wherein theultrasonic array is to generate haptic feedback by generating a focusedpressure point at or near skin on the hand of the user.

Example 13 includes an apparatus including a covering to be worn aroundat least a portion of a hand of a user and a plurality of ultrasonicarrays disposed on an inner surface of the covering. The plurality ofultrasonic arrays are to create focused pressure points at or neardifferent sections of the hand of the user.

Example 14 includes the apparatus of Example 13, further including acontrol unit to selectively activate one or more of the plurality ofultrasonic arrays.

Example 15 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 13 or 14, furtherincluding a spacer coupled to the inner surface of the covering, thespacer to separate the covering from the hand of the user.

Example 16 includes a virtual reality system including a headset to beworn by a user, the headset having a visualization presenter to displaya virtual reality environment to the user, and a glove to be worn on ahand of the user. The glove includes an ultrasonic array to generate apressure on the hand of the user to simulate contact with an object inthe virtual reality environment.

Example 17 includes the virtual reality system of Example 16, furtherincluding a haptic controller to determine a distance between a locationof the object in the virtual reality environment and a location of theglove in the virtual reality environment.

Example 18 includes the virtual reality system of Example 17, whereinthe glove includes an ultrasonic array actuator, the ultrasonic arrayactuator to activate the ultrasonic array based on an instruction fromthe haptic controller.

Example 19 includes the virtual reality system of Example 17, whereinthe haptic controller is integrated into the glove.

Example 20 includes the virtual reality system of any of Examples 16-19,wherein the glove includes a transceiver to receive information aboutthe virtual reality environment from the headset.

Example 21 includes a non-transitory machine readable storage mediumincluding instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at leastdetermine a location of an object in a virtual reality environment,calculate a distance between a location of a section of a glove worn ona hand of a user and the location of the object in the virtual realityenvironment, and activate an ultrasonic array disposed inside of theglove when the distance is zero or substantially zero.

Example 22 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage mediumof Example 21, wherein the instructions, when executed, further causethe machine to determine at least one of a frequency or an intensity atwhich to activate the ultrasonic array.

Example 23 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage mediumof Example 21, wherein the instructions, when executed, further causethe machine to, prior to calculating the distance, determine thelocation of the section of the glove in the virtual reality environment.

Example 24 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage mediumof Example 23, wherein the instructions, when executed, further causethe machine to determine the location of the glove based on image orvideo information from a camera.

Example 25 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage mediumof Example 21, wherein the instructions, when executed, further causethe machine to recalculate the distance between the section of the gloveand the location of the object and cease activation of the ultrasonicarray if the recalculated distance has increased.

Example 26 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage mediumof any of Examples 21-25, wherein the ultrasonic array is a firstultrasonic array, and wherein a plurality of ultrasonic arrays aredisposed inside of the glove.

Example 27 includes the non-transitory machine readable storage mediumof Example 26, wherein the instructions, when executed, further causethe machine to select multiple ones of the plurality of ultrasonicarrays to activate.

Example 28 includes an apparatus including means for determining alocation of an object in a virtual reality environment, means forcalculating a distance between a location of a section of a glove wornon a hand of a user and the location of the object in the virtualreality environment, and means for activating an ultrasonic arraydisposed inside of the glove when the distance is zero or substantiallyzero.

Example 29 includes the apparatus of Example 28, further including meansfor determining at least one of a frequency or an intensity at which toactivate the ultrasonic array.

Example 30 includes the apparatus of Example 28, further including meansfor determining the location of the section of the glove in the virtualreality environment.

Example 31 includes the apparatus of Example 30, wherein the location ofthe glove is determined based on image or video information from acamera.

Example 32 includes the apparatus of Example 28, wherein the means forcalculating is to recalculate the distance between the section of theglove and the location of the object, and the means for activating is tocease activation of the ultrasonic array if the recalculated distancehas increased.

Example 33 includes the apparatus of any of Examples 28-32, wherein theultrasonic array is a first ultrasonic array, and wherein a plurality ofultrasonic arrays are disposed inside of the glove.

Example 34 includes the apparatus of Example 33, further including meansfor selecting multiple ones of the plurality of ultrasonic arrays toactivate.

Although certain example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles ofmanufacture have been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of thispatent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers allmethods, apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within thescope of the claims of this patent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment to be worn on a body part of a person,the garment comprising: an array of ultrasonic generators on an innersurface of the garment, the ultrasonic generators to be spaced apartfrom skin on the body part such that an air gap is between theultrasonic generators and the skin of the body part; and processorcircuitry to activate the ultrasonic generators to provide hapticfeedback on the body part, the ultrasonic generators to, when activated,generate sound waves in the air gap, the sound waves respectively havingrepeating patterns of compressions and refractions, the ultrasonicgenerators arranged such that, when the ultrasonic generators areactivated, the sound waves interact at a distance from the ultrasonicgenerators to create a focused pressure point at or near the skin of thebody part.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment includes ashirt, a pair of pants, or a hat.
 3. The garment of claim 1, furtherincluding a spacer extending from the inner surface toward the body partof the person, the spacer to maintain the air gap between the ultrasonicgenerators and the skin of the body part.
 4. The garment of claim 3,further including an outer layer and an inner layer, the inner layer tobe in contact with the body part, the outer layer to be spaced apartfrom the inner surface of the garment, the inner surface correspondingto an inner surface of the outer layer, and the ultrasonic generators onthe inner surface of the outer layer and facing the inner layer.
 5. Thegarment of claim 4, wherein the spacer is between the inner layer andthe outer layer to separate the outer layer from the inner layer.
 6. Thegarment of claim 3, further including a plurality of spacers extendingfrom the inner surface.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the processorcircuitry is carried by the garment.
 8. The garment of claim 1, furtherincluding a battery and a wireless transceiver.
 9. The garment of claim1, further including one or more wires in circuit with the ultrasonicgenerators and the processor circuitry, the one or more wires embeddedin the garment.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the processorcircuitry is to control the ultrasonic generators to increase ordecrease a pressure at the focused pressure point.
 11. The garment ofclaim 1, wherein the processor circuitry is to change a frequency ofactivation of the ultrasonic generators to move the focused pressurepoint closer to or further from the skin of the body part.
 12. Thegarment of claim 1, further including a substrate, the ultrasonicgenerators carried by the substrate.
 13. The garment of claim 12,wherein the ultrasonic generators are in a pattern of rows and columnson the substrate.
 14. A virtual reality system comprising: a headset tobe worn by a person, the headset having a screen to display a virtualreality environment to the person; a substrate; ultrasonic generators ina pattern on the substrate, the ultrasonic generators to, whenactivated, generate sound waves having a repeating pattern ofcompressions and refractions that interact to create a focused pressurepoint at a distance from the ultrasonic generators; and processorcircuitry to, when a body part of the person interacts with an object inthe virtual reality environment, activate the ultrasonic generators tocreate the focused pressure point at or near skin on the body part ofthe person to mimic a feeling of touch.
 15. The virtual reality systemof claim 14, further including a camera to detect a location of the bodypart of the person, the processor circuitry to determine when the bodypart interacts with the object in the virtual reality environment basedon the location of the body part.
 16. The virtual reality system ofclaim 15, wherein the camera is carried by the headset.
 17. The virtualreality system of claim 14, wherein the pattern includes rows andcolumns.
 18. The virtual reality system of claim 14, wherein theprocessor circuitry is to activate the ultrasonic generators atsubstantially a same frequency.
 19. The virtual reality system of claim14, wherein the processor circuitry is to control the ultrasonicgenerators to control a pressure at the focused pressure point.
 20. Thevirtual reality system of claim 14, wherein the processor circuitry isto change a frequency of activation of the ultrasonic generators to movethe focused pressure point closer to or further from the skin of thebody part.